Ilene Marie Black, a lifetime resident of Ewing Township, passed away after a sudden illness on Jan 1.
Born in Yardville in 1957, Black lived a life full of compassion and dedication to her community. A 1975 graduate of Notre Dame High School, Black had a strong involvement with the Notre Dame High School Alumni Organization, which spanned many years as she continued to help organize and was often the MC of many class reunions.
She worked as office manager at the Presbytery of New Brunswick for over two decades, retiring in January 2023.
For almost 20 years, Black was a contributor to the Ewing Observer with her monthly column, “Betting on Black,” occasionally to the embarrassment of her husband and sons as they were often the subject of her column and nothing was off limits.
She was also an artist. Whether it was trying her hand at watercolor or acrylic painting, her successful ETSY Sea Glass Business called Sea Spray Secrets, Black was busier than she ever thought possible, bringing joy to so many who either purchased her creations or were gifted them.
Black was a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan and took every win and loss to heart. In addition, Black was everyone’s “Sports Mom.”
Following both her sons through their school and West End Soccer careers, Black held various positions within the West End Soccer organization including West End’s Annual Labor Day National Invitational Tournament Director, West End Green Lightning and West End United’s Team Manager and overall Team Mom. While her sons attended Incarnation School, she coached the Junior Varsity Cheerleading Team and won back-to-back tournament competitions.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, George Black; her sons, George and Donald (Michelle) Black; her brothers, Greg Geoghan and Russell Kingsland; her sister, Kim Kingsland and Pam Lair; and the joy of her life, her pets Peach and Jax. She was predeceased by her parents Connie and Donald Geoghan, biological mother Peggy Frohbose, and her brother, Donald Geoghan.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to EASEL Animal Rescue League in Ewing, and the Burlington County Animal Shelter.
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The following is a piece written by Black’s son, Donnie, which he asked to be published in the Observer.
I originally wrote the following about my mother about two years ago when she was not doing very well in the hospital:
“I love you so much Mom. You know I will never forget you. There’s not enough paper, websites or space on a phone to get all of this out. My mother—let me tell you about her. She was adopted by the two greatest people of all time.
“I miss my grandparents every day. They lived across the street from where I grew up and that same house is where my mom grew up. My mom has been with me for everything. I mean everything. I don’t think people reading this understand how much she was there. Sometimes it was like, ‘Okay, mom… back up.’
“This is literally the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write because there is too much. She didn’t lift weights, but her shoulders could carry boulders! I’ve had so much anxiety in my life, and I may have gotten it from her, but she never let me see it. Now, we talk about it openly.
“When I was growing up, we didn’t have much money. My dad busted his ass. He worked two jobs just to send my brother and I to catholic school. Back then, I didn’t know any better. Today, I totally understand why, and I respect that man so much more. I would’ve done the same thing for my family.
“But this ain’t about you pops. Love you though—more than you know. Coolest dude ever, but this is about mom.
‘Her back must be tired, because she carried her three boys and sometimes a dog or two through everything. My grandfathers Pop and Pop Pop and my Dad could fix physical things like a lawn mower or a faucet, but mom would fix anything going on in life.
“Had a bad day? Mom fixed it. Her presence always made me felt at ease. I always felt like nothing bad could happen to me cause my mom was there. I call her once a week on my ride home for work. She picks up every time.
“She could have a serious meeting with her bosses. I’ve never heard her voice mail. If she can’t take the call, she will pick up and say these exact words, ‘Hey, I will call you right back. I love you.’
“This woman has been my rock, and the word a rock doesn’t do her justice. She is a freaking mountain! I married a woman who is almost identical to my mother. Is that weird? Maybe. My wife is a spitting image of my mother.
“During my engagement party, I had a little too much to drink and tried to explain to everyone that exact sentiment, but it came out way wrong. What I meant to say is that boys marry girls that have the same traits as their mother.
“My mother has every trait you would want and need in a mom. It took me a while but I found that in my now wife, Michelle. When they are together and talk, I get choked up.
“We go to breakfast—just the three of us—about once a month, and I can tell my mom absolutely loves the time she spends with my wife. My mother-in=law is a spitting image of my mom and my wife. I am lucky as heck to have three of the same women who don’t give a crap about themselves but only care about others. It’s amazing.”
I originally wrote the above when my mom was not doing very well in the hospital about two years ago. I told her I wrote something for her, and she begged me to send it to her. I didn’t want to because, I told her it sounded like an obituary but she really wanted to see it.
I never said no to my mom, so why would I start then. She loved it. She also offered commentary and some few pointers. She said to mention her as Princess Ilene. I asked her when she was a princess and she told me, “I’ve always been a princess, stupid!”
Well mom, you are not only a so-called princess—you are and always will be—the greatest human being to ever grace this earth. There will never be a day I will not think of you.
When my mom went into the hospital on Dec. 31st, I sent her a text at 5:42 p.m. asking, “How are you doing?” She responded with: “Struggling. It will be okay.”
She struggled with heart issues, and I truly believe she knew her time was coming to an end. She would never let me, my brother, Michelle, or my dad know if she was in pain, because she didn’t want us to worry about her.
She worried about us constantly and didn’t want to burden us with her health issues. That is who my mother was and always be. Our caregiver, our hero, and the toughest person I’ve ever met.
You taught Georgie and me just about everything we know. We got it from here now Mom.
Ilene Black,
